Golf iron top cover and alignment means

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device and method for protecting the top of a iron club head. The surface is protected by a piece of adhesive backed tape that is positioned entirely on the surface of the top with a straight front edge positioned parallel and behind the club head top line.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for protecting the top of a golf iron and providing alignment, a logo, writing, or the like for viewing by the golfer during golf club use. In particular, the present invention relates to a protective adhesive backed coating placed on the top of an iron club.

2. Description of Related Art

The game of golf utilizes a number of different clubs. There are three basic types of golf clubs: drivers, irons and the putter. Within each group of golf clubs differences are mainly to the angle of the face which contributes to the loft angle of the ball when struck and to the shape of the club head. A putter is the only club that is designed to not loft the ball, but rather to cause it to roll on the ground. The putter is designed for a slow swing with very little back movement, perhaps a quarter swing or less, depending on how far the ball is to be hit. The putter club head comes in a myriad of club shapes, has a straight top line and moderate sided top. The driver tends to have very little club face angle is designed for long distance and very little loft. It is designed to be used with a golf ball tee. The driver has a heavily curved top line and a relatively very large top. The driver requires a full swing and is the power club.

Irons mostly require a full swing, and those irons used for chipping require something resembling a half swing that causes it to both loft into the air and then roll. The face of the iron is consistent from club to club with only the angle of the face which dictates loft changing. Of the three types of clubs the iron has the smallest top, perhaps only a quarter to half an inch in width. The top line has essentially no curve to it from the hosel to the toe certainly significantly less than a driver. While putters and drivers frequently have alignment marks because of the size of the top, the iron has not been subject to being so equipped. In general, because of the small top, seeing the top of the iron is virtually impossible compared to drivers and putters.

While even if there were a centerline mark on an iron and such centerline alignment mark would generally be good for most situations, there are times when striking the ball off that center is desirable. However, irons do not provide marks off the centerline since it would require an infinite number of marks to accommodate all golfers. Second, the top of the iron is difficult to see during the act of swinging and keeping one's “eye on the ball”. Third, occasionally the top of the iron behind the top line, rather than the top line area itself of an iron, tends to be nicked and scuffed with mis-hit balls that roll over the top of the iron or mis-strike the top line and fly off in the wrong direction. Fourth, there can be damage to the club from “bag chatter”.

There have been attempts to protect the top line and upper face of drivers from being nicked and scratched during use that have been around for several years. However, driver protectors tend to be utilized on at least a portion of the face of the club, thus affecting at least to some degree the strike of the club. In addition, because of the curved nature of the driver club designing and applying a protective means is difficult or impossible without designing the service appropriate cut-outs in the appliqué for each curve of a club (or have the protector bunch up on the club) and even then to require great care in its application to the club. No one has addressed this issue with irons however.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and an iron with a device for providing protection to the top of an iron from a miss hit ball, a means aiding the focus of the eye on the top of the iron while simultaneously keeping the eye on the ball and a means for placing additional alignment marks that can be added easily and without worrying about the multitude of club shapes or any difficulty in properly applying the device.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is a golf iron having a top line, a narrow top and a protective coating positioned on the top of the iron the coating comprising:

-   -   a piece of polymeric tape having a removable adhesive side and         an opposing non-adhesive side, the tape adhered to the top of         the iron by the adhesive side and having a front long side that         is positioned parallel to and behind the iron top line, wherein         the tape covers at least a portion of the top surface of the         iron and no other surface of the iron.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a method for providing a golf iron having a top line and a narrow top line with a protective coating on the top of the iron comprising:

-   -   a) selecting a piece of polymeric tape having a removable         adhesive side and an opposing non-adhesive side and a front long         side edge that is no greater in size than the top of the iron;     -   b) positioning the tape on the top of the iron with the adhesive         side against a surface of the top of the iron with a front long         side edge positioned behind and parallel to the iron top line in         a manner that the entire piece of tape is positioned solely on         the top of the iron; and     -   c) pressing on the non-adhesive side to engage the adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an iron club head showing the face and the covered top including alignment marks and shading.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an iron club showing the tape on the top of the iron.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an iron with edge of the tape parallel and just behind the iron top line.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a iron showing the tape positioned on the top of the iron.

FIG. 5 is a view of the application of tape to the top of an iron.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. Term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein a “golf iron” is a golf club having a head with a top line and having an angle to its face wherein the club is designed for chipping or lofting the ball during use (as exemplified in the drawings for shape). The top line of the club is the intersection of the top of the iron and the face of the iron. Most golf iron clubs have a top of less than half an inch and as such have the smallest tops of any of the golf clubs. While each of the iron clubs has a different angle for creating a different loft on a golf ball, the general shape is the same between irons of different angles as well as clubs from different manufacturers. This is unlike putters which have a wide variety of shapes.

As used herein “polymeric tape” is a tape primarily made of vinyl or other polymeric material that is relatively thin (i.e. of the thickness of surgical or medical tapes or less) and consist of one of more layers of material. The polymeric material should be a waterproof material and durability is of concern when selecting the desired polymeric material. The tape has two long edges and two short edges (a rectangular shape, semi-oval, or the like). Further, the front long side edge is straight and smooth with no cut outs needed for conforming to contours or placement behind the top line which would add to difficulty in aligning with the top line of the club head when applying and difficulty in keeping the tape on the club head. The other 3 sides can be straight or curved as desired for fitting on the top of the club head. Examples of adhesive tapes can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,894,204 incorporated herein by reference. The polymeric tape can include other materials such as fabrics, colorants, plasticizers, and anything else to make a useful tape. Other useful products that are on the market include, for example, SWINGShield manufactured by VentureTape Corp in Rockland Mass. The tape can be a stretchable or non-stretchable material and even be of the stretch release type, if desired.

The tape on one side, the underside, will have an adhesive material for attaching the tape to the top of the golf head. The material can be one that is quick release but should be firmly enough attached to not come off easily with one or two uses. Where the tape is sold as a separate article for attaching to the golf club, a non-stick removable backing can be utilized to keep the adhesive backing sticky, similar to the backing on a band-aid. The adhesive is one that attaches to a metal or other material the club head is manufactured from, but is relatively easy to remove if the tape needs to be replaced from time to time due to damage of the tape. Those types of adhesives are within the skill in the art.

The top side, the side opposite the adhesive side, is a non-adhesive surface. It can be a clear tape or this side can be color, either applied or throughout the tape itself. In one embodiment, it is markable such that the user can mark the tape with their own alignment marks, ID marks, logos, or other marks as desired. In other embodiments, it is printed on with a particular design such as a logo, art design, alignment marks, and the like as desired. At least one of the long edges the font long side edge of the tape has a straight edge. The opposite long edge and two short edges can be any shape with the only requirement being the tape fits entirely on the top of the iron. The tape can entirely cover the top of the iron or cover some lesser amount of the top. It can reach the short edges of the top, or in other embodiments, only reach part way to either edge or towards the hosel of the club. In one embodiment, the tape short edge is a few millimeters short of the open edge or the iron hosel. Since many irons have the back edge line of the top that is also parallel to the top line, in one embodiment the back long side edge of the tape is also straight and parallel to the front long side edge. It is clear that the tape does not extend to past the back of the top, does not cover the leading edge of the top line and does not cover any portion of the face of the iron.

As used herein “selecting a piece of polymeric tape” refers to picking a tape that fits on the top of a given golf iron and has the desired design or lack of design on the non-adhesive side. It will have a front long side edge and be no greater in size in any dimension than the surface of the top of the iron. As described, above the front long side edge will have a straight edge.

In use, the tape is selected, then the adhesive protective backing removed, if used, and then by hand, the front long side edge is placed parallel to the top line behind the top line with the adhesive side against the top of the iron. The straight edge can come very close, for example, within a millimeter or so, but any distance behind or right at the top line is contemplated by the present invention. The placement is normally by hand as this is a device that will be sold for self application and reapplication to one's clubs. The alignment is therefore by eyeballing the alignment and placing the edge all at once or end to end on the top of the club as desired. Where the back long side edge is also straight on the top of the club and the back edge of the tape also straight then both edges can be used to visually align the tape. The “design” utilized on the non-adhesive side of the tape can be color, one or more putting alignment marks (which could also be added by hand, e.g., with a pen), artistic designs, popular logos, and the like. Once or as the tape is positioned, at least a portion of the tape is pressed on to make sure the adhesive engages the surface of the top of the putter completely. For example, one could run a finger from one short edge to the other short edge while lightly pressing on the tape.

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a iron club head showing the face and the covered top including alignment marks and shading next to a golf ball. Iron shaft 1 bends into hosel 2 which connects the shaft 1 to the club head 3. The club head 3 consists of a face 4, top 5 and back portion 6 (shown in FIG. 2). The tape of the present invention is shown as tape 10. The tape 10 is positioned on the top 5 of the club head 3. The tape 10 has a front long side edge 7 positioned a millimeter or so behind top line 13 and right at back line 15. As can be seen, it is positioned a few millimeters from the distal side 21 of the top 5 and a few millimeters from the hosel 2. It is clear that other positioning is possible but one can clearly see in this view that the tape 10 is entirely on the top 5 of club head 3 and nowhere else. In this embodiment, it covers less than all of the club head top 5 but could cover all of it in one embodiment.

In this embodiment there are multiple alignment marks 30 a, 30 b and 30 c. These marks could each be utilized together to help focus on the center of the club or used individually when one wants to hit off center or just for decoration. Clearly, the alignment marks could be placed anywhere along the length of the tape 10 as desired, for example, when hitting off the distal end of the club face 4. This is similar to the view of the golfer during use and the golfer could easily see this tape on top of the iron as opposed to if there were not tape.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an iron club showing the tape on the top of the iron. The back 6 can clearly be seen as well as the back line 15. FIG. 3 is a front view of a iron with the edge of the tape 10 parallel and just behind the iron top line 13. This view depicts that the tape 10 curves over the edge at the distal end 21. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an iron showing the tape 10 positioned on the top of the iron.

In choosing a design, the choice of design would be within the desires of the user. Therefore, in distributing the tape 10 for application to a club one could select a design (such as a school logo, a color, a picture, etc.) that appeals to the user. In addition, if the ball hits the tape during use by having a design on the non-adhesive side of the tape, evidence of the hit will be more evident since the tape design will be scuffed or torn. In some embodiments, a lighter color, or color in general, is utilized for this effect. After a certain amount of scuffs the tape can be removed and replaced with a new non-scuffed tape.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the application of the tape to a club top 20. The tape 10 has been aligned at the distal end 21 with the top line 13 by placing the tape front edge 56 parallel to the top line 13. Applicant's finger 58 is used to apply the tape, keep it aligned, and apply pressure at the same time in order to make sure the tape is firmly attached. Note that since the tape has no notches, grooves, cuts, or the like (i.e. has a smooth straight edge in front and in some embodiments all the way around the edge of the tape) for placing the tape on other than a flat surface application is much easier than if it needed to be on a curved top line or on a curved club head top. Also, by self applying tape 10 the placement of alignment mark 30 e can be any place desired. This is especially true if the tape is shorter. Once again, the mark could be added, for example, by indelible marker, pen, or the like, or preprinted.

Applicant notes that the application teaches various embodiments and in view of these teachings other embodiments are included and can be utilized by one skilled in the art in view of the teaching. Applicant reserves the right to claim specific embodiments of the present invention, however, that are either in the specification or particular embodiments in the drawings as the invention by either use of comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of language. The claims below are not intended to be limited by the examples unless otherwise so claimed. 

1. A golf iron having a top line, a narrow top and a protective coating positioned on the top of the iron, the coating comprising: a piece of polymeric tape having a removable adhesive side and an opposing non-adhesive side, the tape adhered to the top of the iron by the adhesive side and having a front long side that is positioned parallel to and behind the iron top line, wherein the tape covers at least a portion of the top surface of the iron and no other surface of the iron.
 2. A golf iron according to claim 1 wherein the non-adhesive side has a printed design.
 3. A golf iron according to claim 1 wherein the non-adhesive side has at least one alignment mark on it.
 4. A method for providing a golf iron having a top line and a narrow top line with a protective coating on the top of the iron comprising: a) selecting a piece of polymeric tape having a removable adhesive side and an opposing non-adhesive side and a front long side edge that is no greater in size than the top of the iron; b) positioning the tape on the top of the iron with the adhesive side against a surface of the top of the iron with a front long side edge positioned behind and parallel to the iron top line in a manner that the entire piece of tape is positioned solely on the top of the iron; and c) pressing on the non-adhesive side to engage the adhesive.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the tape has at least one alignment mark on the non-adhesive side.
 6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the alignment marks are positioned at a desired location for off center hitting of a golf ball.
 7. A method according to claim 4 wherein the alignment marks are positioned to aid hitting the ball at the center of a club face. 